The exponential rise in the use of artificial intelligence suggests that AI careers are about to experience an unprecedented boom. Increasingly, MNCs, businesses, and startups are integrating AI into their existing systems to improve productivity, enhance customer experience, simplify task management, and streamline sales operations. Building and operating these new AI-based applications requires a large workforce, resulting in the generation and proliferation of AI job opportunities in India.
According to a Times of India report, India is expecting 2.3 million AI-related job openings by 2027. To take advantage of this opportunity, students can choose careers in AI, ML, data engineering, data science, robotics, and many other AI-related fields that could secure them a high-paying job in a fast-changing job market.
Before going into the details about careers in AI, let’s brush up our knowledge on the basic concept of AI and how it has come to hold a significant position in our lives, from day-to-day tasks to large-scale business operations.
The Basics of AI: What You Should Know
In the most basic sense, artificial intelligence entails creating hardware and software that can mimic human thinking and action, to a certain extent. AI models are trained on massive amounts of data that assist the underlying algorithm to recognise patterns, texts, images, and other inputs and render custom responses to different types of stimuli. The more an AI model is trained with accurate datasets, the more relevant its responses.
From answering simple questions to solving complex problems and helping with decision-making, AI can help individuals and organisations with carrying out a multitude of tasks, varying in degree and scale. This proliferation of AI use in different sectors of the economy has given rise to the demand for AI engineers, ML engineers, data scientists, and other professionals who are well-versed in this field, thus making AI job opportunities a career option worth pursuing.
Top 10 AI Jobs in 2025
| Sl. No. | Career Course | Description | Salary range (LPA) |
| 1 | AI Engineer | AI engineering is one of the most sought-after careers in AI. AI engineers develop algorithms, train AI systems, and integrate AI into other applications to make organisations more efficient. These algorithms learn from training data and continuously improve their performance. AI engineers bridge the gap between AI research and its real-world applications. | 6 LPA- 30 LPA |
| 2 | Machine Learning Engineer | As one of the more attractive options in the field of AI careers, machine learning engineering entails designing, building, and deploying machine learning systems to automate predictive models. Machine learning engineers collaborate with data scientists, who develop models. Machine learning engineers also run experiments and perform statistical analyses. | 9 LPA – 20 LPA |
| 3 | Data Engineer | Data engineering is one of the most popular careers in AI. Data engineers are software engineers, specialising in data infrastructure. They design, build, and maintain systems that collect, store, and process data, which is then made available for analysis or business use. | 7 LPA – 15 LPA |
| 4 | Robotics Engineer | Robotics engineering is one of the highest-paying AI-related jobs in the market. Robotics engineers design, build, and maintain robots and robotic systems for various industries and applications. They mostly work in the manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare sectors. Robotics engineers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of robotic systems, from concept to deployment. | 4 LPA- 17 LPA |
| 5 | Software Engineer in AI | AI software engineers primarily create intelligent applications using their software and data science skills. They design, build, and maintain AI systems and also implement algorithms, networks, and AI models for various industries. AI software engineering is one of the most sought-after careers in AI. | 6 LPA- 20 LPA |
| 6 | Data Scientist | One of the most popular and well-regarded careers in AI is data scientist. They help businesses make informed decisions by analysing huge amounts of data to find hidden patterns and make predictions. They combine business knowledge with technical skills like programming to gain meaningful insights and communicate their findings to stakeholders. | 10 LPA – 22 LPA |
| 7 | Data Mining and Analysis | The job of data mining and analysis entails cleaning and transforming data, identifying patterns and relationships, building, testing, and evaluating models to solve business problems and help with informed decision-making. Data mining and analysis are extensively used in the areas of marketing and sales, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and scientific research. | 1.44 LPA – 24 LPA |
| 8 | Big Data Engineer/Architect | One of the more niche careers in AI is big data engineer/architect. They are tasked with designing, building, and maintaining the necessary infrastructure to manage and process large volumes of data. Key responsibilities of a big data engineer/architect include data collection, processing, storage, and management. Collaborating with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders is also part of their job. | 16 LPA – 24 LPA |
| 9 | Computer Vision Engineer | Computer vision engineers work with images, videos, and other visual data to develop algorithms and systems that aid in tasks like facial recognition, object detection, image segmentation, and more. Computer vision engineers essentially bridge the gap between ML, computer science, and visual data. | 2.4 LPA- 21 LPA |
| 10 | AI Ethicist | The job of an AI ethicist is one of the most niche AI related jobs in the market. AI ethicists are tasked with making sure that AI systems are used ethically and responsibly and that the systems don’t have inbuilt biases that can have unintended consequences and social repercussions. AI ethicists promote transparency and accountability in AI decision-making. They also ensure that ethical perspectives are integrated into the development and deployment of AI systems. | 18 LPA – 28 PLA |
How to start a career in Artificial Intelligence
AI related jobs are growing in numbers, but to bag a job in the industry, you have to take certain steps:
Research AI Career Paths
The first step to securing an AI related job is to decide which career within the field of AI you would like to pursue. After that, you can build skills and tailor your education accordingly. There are several AI related jobs, like AI engineer, ML engineer, data scientist, computer vision engineer, and others that offer excellent career prospects. You can narrow down your research depending on your inclination, salary expectation, and availability of jobs and zero in on the company and the job title that you want.
Get the Right Education
Once you’ve settled on the kind of job that you want, it’s time to get the right education that would make it easy for you to achieve your career goal. AI professionals often go for degrees like computer science, data science, mathematics, or a related field to increase their chances of having a career in artificial intelligence. Further, getting a master’s degree in one of the relevant fields can also boost your chances of getting a high-paying job in AI.
Develop AI Skills
Successful careers in AI are often predicated on acquiring certain skills, both technical and workplace. You can develop these skills by taking online classes or bootcamps, or while going through coursework to earn a degree. Developing technical skills in Python and C/C++, Apache Cassandra, Couchbase, or DynamoDB, can help you boost your chances of getting an AI related job. Further, workspace skills like communication, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and management can also help you gain an advantage at your workplace.
Earn Certifications
In case you don’t have a graduate or postgraduate degree in a technical field like computer science, enrolling in a certification programme can work wonders for your career in AI. Completing an online course demonstrates that you are serious about pursuing a career in AI and thus investing in gaining or enhancing your skills. Some certified courses in AI that you may consider opting for include ARTIBA: Artificial Intelligence Engineer, IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate, IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate, and Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
Apply for Entry-Level AI Jobs
Once you’ve completed your education or training in an AI related course, you can start applying for entry-level AI jobs. Typically, careers in AI start with a position of software developer or engineer, which requires less than three years of experience. Building your own network also increases your chances of getting your foot in the door in an interview. To that end, you can participate in hackathons, apply for internships, and engage in a freelance project to get real-world experience.
Future Scope of career in artificial intelligence
Careers in AI are slated to experience a massive leg-up due to the ubiquitous use of AI in everyday life, both in personal spaces and businesses. Jobs like AI engineer, ML engineer, and data scientist are in high demand as several industries like manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare are employing AI applications and systems to bring about efficiency in their operations.
Further, careers in AI all but guarantee a high-paying job in a market that’s often volatile and exploitative. Since AI is still in a relatively nascent stage, the prospects of exponential growth and the emergence of new jobs in niche sectors are a real possibility. These developments tip the scale in favour of careers in artificial intelligence in the medium to long term. Juxtapose that with a relatively young population and the second-largest labour force in the world, and it’s safe to say that India’s AI scene has its best days ahead.
Top Companies Hiring for AI Role
With LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and other applications being used by businesses across different sectors, the demand for AI engineers, data scientists, and other AI professionals has skyrocketed. That’s why many companies are hiring people who have a degree in AI or an AI-related field or possess the necessary skills to build, train, and operate AI systems.
Here’s a list of some of the companies hiring for an AI role:
| Sl. No. | Company Name | Location | Salary range (INR) |
| 1 | Deloitte | Bengaluru | 9 LPA – 11 LPA |
| 2 | Tata Insights and Quants | Jamshedpur | 5 LPA – 7 LPA |
| 3 | ixigo | Gurugram | 6 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 4 | KLA | Chennai | 4 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 5 | JP MorganChase | Bengaluru | 4 LPA – 10 LPA |
| 6 | American Express | Gurugram | 6 LPA – 9 LPA |
| 7 | Hitachi Solutions | Pune | 4 LPA – 5 LPA |
| 8 | Barclays | Pune | 9 LPA – 11 LPA |
| 9 | Lenovo | Pune | 5 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 10 | Citco | Pune | 6 LPA – 9 LPA |
| 11 | PTC | Pune | 6 LPA – 10 LPA |
| 12 | HackerOne | Pune | 31 LPA – 38 LPA |
| 13 | BNP Paribas | Mumbai | 2 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 14 | Infosys | Bengaluru | 4 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 15 | UBS | Pune | 6 LPA – 10 LPA |
| 16 | Capgemini | Mumbai | 5 LPA – 7 LPA |
| 17 | Siemens | Pune | 5 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 18 | Goldman Sachs | Bengaluru | 2 LPA – 8 LPA |
| 19 | AGCO | Pune | 6 LPA – 9 LPA |
| 20 | Jade Global | Pune | 4 LPA – 9 LPA |
Summary
The widespread adoption of AI applications like ChatGPT or Gemini by big and small businesses and startups has created a demand for well-trained AI professionals who are adept at designing, building, and maintaining AI tools, modules, and systems. As a result, careers in AI, ML, data science, and other related fields are offering exciting AI job opportunities, high salaries, and a chance to solve complex problems across industries. Jobs in AI engineering, ML engineering, data science, computer vision engineering, AI ethics, and many others are up for grabs. With top companies looking to hire skilled AI professionals, individuals with the right education and credentials can throw their hat in the ring to secure a high-paying job in this booming job market.
FAQs on Careers in AI
Q. What qualifications do I need for a career in AI?
To build a career in AI, you need to have a strong foundation in areas of computer science, mathematics, and statistics. For entry-level jobs, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field may suffice, but to get a high-paying job, a master’s degree or a PhD is required. Apart from that, command over programming languages like Python is also necessary. (Source: Simplilearn)
Q. Is coding necessary for an AI career?
Mostly, yes. Since a career in AI entails designing, building, and deploying algorithms and models, knowledge of coding is necessary. These AI algorithms are designed to collect and process caches of data. They are also employed to carry out tasks like pattern recognition, generating insights, and helping businesses with decision-making. (Source: IABAC)
Q. What are the best AI courses for beginners?
There are several courses that you could take to achieve a basic level of proficiency in AI. Stanford AI Professional Program, HarvardX Machine Learning and AI with Python, MIT’s Introduction to Deep Learning, ARTIBA: Artificial Intelligence Engineer, IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate, IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate, and Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate are some of the courses you may consider taking up. (Source: GUVI)
Q. Which industries have the highest demand for AI professionals?
AI applications like ChatGPT and Gemini are increasingly being used by MNCs and startups across various industries. Sectors like healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, and entertainment are driving up the demand for AI professionals because of the extensive use of AI in these fields. However, gauging by its rate of adoption, other traditionally tech-shy industries are also on their way to integrating AI into their operations. (Source: Analytics Vidhya)
Q. Can I get a job in AI without a degree?
Yes, it’s possible that you may get a job in AI without a college degree. However, you would likely need to enrol in a certificate programme to develop the necessary technical skills for an AI related job. While these courses may help you get entry-level jobs, you may need to complete a master’s degree or a PhD to apply for a senior-level AI job. There are certain courses that you can take to improve your chances of getting a high-paying job in AI.
